When she announced they were selling their home to live in an RV for a YEAR for a homeschooling adventure, I couldn’t even comprehend it. Seven kids + Mom + Dad = 9 human bodies living within the same space for an entire year. And many of those children are teenage daughters – sharing ONE bathroom.

Then – they loved it so much, they extended their adventure even longer than a year.

Cynthia is not Wonder Woman. She is the person Wonder Woman wants to be when she grows up. I’m not wrong.

What can we learn from Moms of Many?

And the more I chat with Moms of many children, the more I see common threads. Of teamwork. Operating on mission. Being intentional about – well, everything.

I am amazed by all the parents who bravely step into the Land of Lots of Kids. Whether through birth or adoption, having many children in your care deserves a celebration. You give. You serve. You carry. And you find margin to make even more babies, which is especially impressive.

But I am beginning to realize that having a large family may not be entirely selfless.

Karen Gauvreau would squeeze her four-baby-body into a cheerleader's uniform for you to know someone is rooting for you as a Mom - cartwheeling for your victories and offering a pep talk when you feel pummelled. If you laugh in the process, even better.